Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 136

Chapter 136

Carter’s face darkened. “Theo, be quiet.”

Theo flinched, shrinking instinctively behind Kelly.

She stepped in quickly, voice gentle, as if to shield him. “Carter, he’s just a child. Don’t be so harsh with him. Besides, you’ve always expected a lot from Theo, and he’s never disappointed you. He’s always at the top of his class. Isn’t it understandable he wants to be the best at everything?”

She glanced at Sharon, her tone soft but laced with meaning. “With a son as outstanding as Theo, Sharon should really work on improving herself, too. As parents, we shouldn’t be the ones holding our children back.”

Carter’s expression wavered slightly. The light in his eyes dimmed. He said nothing.

But Matty stepped forward, his voice clear. “Sharon would never hold anyone back! She’s amazing!”

Theo let out a scornful laugh. “She’s my mom. Don’t you think I’d know if she was amazing? Matty, if you’re smart, find someone else to perform with. Otherwise, when you get laughed at and end up crying, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

and firm in a way that was

Grades aren’t the only way to measure how good someone is. If you can’t even respect your own mom, what’s the point of being

took a small step back,

may not be happy with me visiting Theo. But Matty’s still a child. Was it really necessary to teach him to say things like that—just to attack your own son?

nearly applauded. Really, it

coached Matty to lash out at her own child. Then, she subtly suggested Matty was just a pawn— used and discarded. And finally, she painted Sharon as a neglectful

display of weaponized

quiet disappointment. “Sharon, have you really fallen

child?”

tilted her head slightly. “Kelly,

threw Kelly

you turn to Carter and say, ‘Carter, actually,

Kelly froze.

No-everyone froze.